The worst possible scenario unfolded for the Enumclaw High volleyball squad when, in the early going of a Sept. 26 home match with Auburn Mountainview, senior hitter HayleeMae Dennis hustled after a wayward ball and damaged ankle ligaments as she crashed into the bleachers.

She is considered unavailable for several weeks, hobbled with a walking boot and crutches.

To the squad’s credit, players coped well with the injury.

“I thought I was having a bad dream,” coach Jackie Carel said. “We were playing so well when suddenly she was on the floor.” Carel praised the way the rest of her crew responded.

“In an odd way, the injury to Dennis seemed to band them together a little tighter,” she said. “Knowing that they won’t be able to rely on HayleeMae has appeared to steel their resolve to keep winning no matter what. You have to admire them for that.”

While the temporarily disarrayed Hornets lost the match to the Lions 25-11, 25-13 and 25-20, they seemed to gather themselves for the challenges that lay ahead.  Two days later, EHS stung visiting Lakes 25-13, 22-25, 25-23 and 25-15.

Molly Culyer stepped up recording a dozen kills as well as 12 digs. Julia Myers made her presence felt with nine kills.

EHS’s third match was a nonleague encounter with Class 4A Gig Harbor, which prevailed over the host Hornets 25-7, 25-12, 24-26 and 25-14. Myers had a dozen kills and Hannah Morris came through with 16 assists.

Enumclaw moved on to the Bellevue Invitational Saturday, where they fared well, beating Ballard in consecutive sets to finish third out of 16 teams.

EHS, 2-1 in SPSL 3A, hosts unbeaten Bonney Lake Thursday.